Stamp applicating machine

ABSTRACT

A stamp applying machine wherein a roll of stamps is mounted to and for rotation with a stamp applying wheel and shaft assembly; the wheel has a stamp metering means mounted on the face thereof which is activated during a first limited part of the rotation of the stamp wheel to deliver one or more stamps to the outer periphery of the stamp applying wheel and a loop forming roller is operatively joined to the assembly intermediate the roll of stamps and the metering means and is moved transversely of the path of the stamps during a second part of the rotation of the assembly to form a free standing loop of stamps intermediate the metering means and the roll of stamps.

United States Patent [191 [451 May 14, 1974 Klund et a1.

STAMP APPLICATING MACHINE Inventor s: Robert N. Klund, Stillwater; Merle H. Sorenson, Minneapolis, both of Minn.

Delkar Industries, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed: Jan. 29, 1973 Appl. No.: 327,634

Assignee:

US. Cl 83/285, 83/323, 83/336,

Int. Cl B65h 35/08, B65h 37/04 Field of Search 83/285, 323, 336, 337, 83/588, 649; 156/521, 522; 226/76 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1963 Obenshain 83/336 X l/l970 Pesch et al 156/521 X Primary Examiner-Franl T. Yost Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schroeder, Siegfried,

[57] ABSTRACT A stamp applying machine wherein a roll of stamps is mounted to and for rotation with a stamp applying wheel and shaft assembly; the wheel has a stamp metering means mounted on the face thereof which is activated during a first limited part of the rotation of the stamp wheel to deliver one or more stamps to the outer periphery ofthe stamp applying wheel and a loop forming roller is operatively joined to the assembly intermediate the roll of stamps and the metering means and is moved transversely of the path of the stamps during a second part of the rotation of the assembly to form a free standing loop of stamps intermediate the metering means and the roll of stamps.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 14 IBM 1 STAMP APPLICATING MACHINE The present invention is directed to a stamp applying machine for use with automatic mailing equipment. This type of equipment advances individual envelopes for receiving postage in the upper right-hand corner thereof. More specifically the present invention is directed to improvements in such stamp applying machines as is disclosed in the copending application of Whiteford et al. Ser. No. 289,221 filed Sept. 15, 1972, entitled POSTAGE STAMP APPLICATOR.

Various types of stamp applying machines have been developed in the past which are particularly adapted to be substituted for the postage printing head on envelope handling machines so that conventional postage stamps of the mucilage type can be applied to the envelope instead of printing. Recent patents which show such types of equipment are U.S. Pat. to Bollman, No.

3,346,439. and Houss US. Pat. Nos. 3,393,113 and 3,487,989. The copending application identified above provides still another type of stamp applying machine particularly adapted for use with conventional envelope handling machines as an alternative to the stamp Post Office. Such rolls are available in quantities of 500 stamps per roll but more typically are utilized in 3,000 stamp rolls. The reason for this is obvious. Even where a single stamp is utilized for each envelope, at 3,000 stamp roll would only keep a machine operating for l7 to minutes depending upon the envelope feed rate. Installation of new rolls of stamps into the stamp applying machine is time consuming, and in addition, unless the machine is closely watched there will be many envelopes which pass through the machine without receiving a stamp and will'thus have to be recycled back through the machine once a new. roll of stamps is installed. It is thus desirable to have as large a roll of stamps as is conveniently handled in the machines so as to minimize the amount of down time resulting from installation of new rolls. v

Each of the stamp machines of the patents and pending applications described above makes use of a star wheel drive mechanism for the metering portion of the machine. Stamps are fed from a metering wheel portion in a jerk-like motion as each stamp is delivered during only a portion of the total rotational cycle of the stamp applying head. For each stamp which is delivered to the periphery of the stamp applying wheel in accordance with these prior art assemblies the rotation of the stamp applying wheel amounts to about 20 of arc. As the motion is not a continuous smooth motion there isa tendency to break the stream of stamps as they are pulled into the stamp metering mechanism. This is due in large part to the fact that the roll of stamps, particularly in the case ofa full roll, has rotational inertia that must be overcome when a stamp is suddenly pulled into the metering mechanism. This sudden jerking action on the roll to bring about the necessary rotation increases the likelihood of a breakage in the stream of stamps. Any breakage will require a rethreading of the stamps through the mechanism. Again, unless the machines are closely monitored numerous envelopes will pass through the mechanism without having received a stamp and will have to be recycled. Equally important is the fact that the threading operation consumes time which can be better used for applying stamps to envelopes.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a loop forming mechanism positioned intermediate the roll of stamps and the metering head along the path taken by the stamps. This loop forming mechanism is cooperatively joined to the assembly so that it has a transverse motion across the path of the stamps during a significantly long portion of the rotational cycle during which time the stamps can be relatively slowly unrolled from a roll of stamps so as to present a free standing loop of stamps. The free standing loop so formed has essentially no inertia that must be overcome as stamps are fed by the metering mechanism onto the periphery of the stamp applying wheel. By use of the principle of the invention the likelihood of breakage of the stream of stamps is markedly reduced and superior operation results. Also as the loop forming mechanism operates relatively slowly to bring about the necessary unrolling of the spool of stamps it is. feasible to utilize even larger rolls of stamps than in the past.

The invention will be best understood from consideration of thedescription which follows and in connection with the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top elevational view with the outer housing removed of a postage metering machine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the mechanism rotated through a portion of a stamp applying cycle;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left side and the water reservoir omitted.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 partially rotated to show selected portions thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along lines 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view along lines 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view along lines 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a'sectional view along lines 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a view along lines l0l0 of FIG. 4 with the cover cut away; and a FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating operation of the envelope advancing mechanism.

Referring first to FIG. 11 there is illustrated a main housing 17 for an envelope stamping apparatus including the envelope feed mechanism. Adjacent the lefthand portion of the figure is an envelope support chamber 86 in which a plurality of envelopes 87 are arranged in a stacked configuration. An opening 84 is provided in chamber 86 at the lower end thereof through which a cam wheel alternately extends. The function of cam wheel 85 is to deliver a single envelope outwardly so as to become engaged by endless belts 88 and 89 to be conveyed further across the surface of the apparatus. As the envelopes emerge from the belts 88 and 89 they activate a trip lever 90 shown in schematic form which extends up through an opening in member 17. The trip lever triggers operation of the postage applying mechanism generally designated 10. Each time lever 90 is tripped the main drive shaft 20 of the postage applying machine rotates one complete revolution. During the course of this revolution the stamp applying wheel 40 has a stamp extended to the outer periphery thereof by a metering mechanism, the stamp is moistened by means ofa sponge 80. Sponge 80 is partly immersed in a pipe 81 which is operatively connected to a water reservoir 79. The stamp is then affixed to an envelope as it passes between cooperating wheel 93 and stamp wheel 40 and'a severing mechanism is activated to sever the stamp from the remaining stamps in a stamp roll. The detailed operation of the stamp applying mechanism 10 will now be described.

In the several views like parts will be given the same numerical designation. Referring particularly to FIG. 1 there is illustrated therein the stamp applying machine which is generally designated 10. As already indicated this machine is mounted on platform 17 of an overall envelope handling apparatus. A housing consisting of end walls 12 and 13 with a base 11 has rotatably journaled through walls 12 and 13 a main drive shaft 20. Main shaft is provided at its right-hand portion with a slot 21 into which extends a tongue portion ofa drive shaft 22. Drive shaft 22 is activated to make one complete revolution and thus drive main shaft 20 one complete revolution each time trip lever 90 is activated by passage of an envelope.

At the opposite end of shaft 20 there is mounted for rotation therewith the stamp applying wheel generally designated 40.

A portion of shaft 20 intermediate walls 12 and 13 has been reduced in cross section so as to leave a relatively thin web of material as illustrated. Between the reduced cross section area of shaft 20 and wheel 40 a slot 27 of a width sufficient to accommodate a stamp is provided with this slot extending from the reduced cross section area out to the outer end of shaft 20.

An open-end cylinder is fixedly mounted onto the relieved portion of shaft 20 and has a central post member 32 extending upwardly to the height of the walls of the cylinder. The post 32 provides a means for positioning a roll of stamps within cylinder 32. Cylinder 32 is also provided with an opening 33 in its wall for passage of the end ofa roll of stamps outwardly therefrom and ultimately through slot 27. The roll of stamps and the free ends thereof extending outwardly from cylinder 25 is generally designated 26. It should be noted that cylinder 25 rotates with shaft 20 while the roll of stamps is caused to unroll by a mechanism, which will be described below, about an axis substantially perpendicular to that of shaft 20's rotation. A lever 96 having a bight at the end thereof adjacent shaft 20 is used to hold the assembly inan orientation suitable for joining with drive shaft 22. Lever 96 is operatively connected to spring 97 so that when the machine 10 is placed in position a pin (not shown) releases the lever 96 from engagement with shaft 20.

Stamp applying wheel 40 is fixedly joined to shaft 20 for rotation therewith. Mounted for separate rotation on the surface of wheel 40 is a metering wheel 45. Metering wheel 45 has a shaft member journaled through member 40 terminating in a star wheel 50 adjacent wall 13. On the outer surface of wheel 45 there is provided at appropriate intervals corresponding to the length of a stamp teeth members 46 which are adapted to engage the perforations separating individual stamps in a roll. Also mounted to wheel 40 is a shoulder assembly 48 which encompasses a portion of the surface of wheel 45 to aid in the directing of a stream of stamps therearound and also act as a pressure surface in applying stamps. As the stamps 26 emerge from slot 27 they will pass over a member 47 which is curved to redirect the stamps at substantially right angles to their initial plane of travel as they came from slot 27. They will then be engaged by wheel 45 and pass therearound and emerge from an opening 49 adjacent wheel 45 and be extended beyond the periphery 41 of wheel 40. Stamps 26 are inverted as they go about curved member 47 so that as they emerge from slot 49 the adhesive containing side will pass over the surface of a sponge 81 to be moistened just prior to their engagement with an envelope.

To accomplish initial threading of a roll of stamps there is provided a knurled knob 95 which is operatively engaged to metering wheel 45. The free end of spool of stamps 26 is passed through slot 27 around curve member 47 and then around the metering wheel 45.

Shoulder portion 48 also has contained therein a knife which has a serrated cutting edge 71. This is best seen in FIG. 7. As wheel 40 is rotated a lever 75,

which is operatively connected to the knife 70 is pivoted about its axis 76 forcing the knife blade and its serrations into the perforations in the stamp to sever the stamp as it is being applied to the envelope. The movement of lever is provided by means of a cam member 77 positioned on the face of wall 13. A spring 74 biases the blade to a withdrawn position.

The star wheel 50 which drives metering wheel 45 is as shown in FIG. 6 restrainedfrom undesired movement by means of an arm 51 which engages the wheel due to spring 52 biasing of the arm. This spring biasing of the star wheel 50 ensures proper indexing of the spool of stamps by preventing undesired rotation of the metering wheel 45. As wheel 40 rotates the teeth of star wheel 50 will come into engagement with pin member 55 resulting in rotation of the star wheel through one stage. The amount of rotation is governed so as to' eject just one stamp at a time. If it is desired that more than one stamp be ejected per envelope then additional pins such as 56, 57, and 58 can be appropriately inserted into threaded openings in wall 13 each sequentially rotating star wheel 50 through one-fourth of its rotation. The arm member 51 ensures that only one-quarter of a rotation is accomplished as each pin is engaged.

It should be appreciated at this point that the motion of the stamps brought about by the engagement of star wheel 50 with peg members 55, etc., would result in a jerk-like motion of the stamps from the roll contained within cylinder 25. For each stamp so delivered by metering wheel 45 there is a relatively abrupt part rotation of star wheel 50. This abrupt movement has a tendency to result in breakage of the strip of stamps 26 due to the necessity of overcoming the inertial mass of the main roll, particularly when the roll is at its maximum initial size.

In accordance with the present invention a loop forming mechanism is provided adjacent the spool of stamps andoperatively connected to main shaft so that a free running loop can be created between the roll of stamps and the metering head during a portion of the cycling of stamp applying wheel 40 at a time other than during the activation of star wheel 50. That is, the loop forming mechanism is operational during the time that the assembly is rotating in an essentially free period when there is no movement of the stamps through the metering wheel 45. At this time (which includes the major part of the 360 rotation) a loop can be formed, by means which will be described, slowly enough so that the tendency for a break to occur in the stream of stamps is essentially eliminated. Once the loop of stamps is formed the means for forming the loop is returned out of the path of the stamps. This free standing loop then is the only inertial portion that has to be overcome by the movement of stamps through metering wheel 45. Obviously, the very small amount of mass in the stamps of the free standing loop does not tend to load up the stream of stamps to the point where breakage or tearing is a likely occurrence.

While many arrangements will be apparent for forming such a free loop it has been found that an arrange ment in accordance with the apparatus seen best in FIGS. I, 2 and 4 possesses significant advantages. Referring to these figures itis seen that post member 32 has a shaft member 34 journalcd therein through for rotation. At the open end of cylinder there is provided a cover member 35 which extends across the open end of cylinder 25. Cover member 35 is desirably of a transparent plastic material so that the operator can readily ascertain the quantity of stamps remaining in the roll contained within cylinder 25. Cover member 35' is conveniently held in position over cylinder 25 by means ofa keyed arm member 36 which engages a stud 37 on the end of shaft34. Shaft 34 is provided with a cross member 38 extending through an opening in the shaft to form a T-shaped portion. The position of cross member 38 corresponds'to cover member 35 and is adapted to engage a slotted opening incover 35.

and functions as a cam engaging surface. The end of I rack gear 43 which extends beyond housing 44 toward wall 13 has an adjustable stop member 60 which controls the amount of travel that arm 43 may have with respect to housing 44. A spring member 61 biases rack gear 43 toward wall 12. A cam means 62 is suitably positioned adjacent wall 12 so that it engages end 59 of rack gear 43during a predetermined portion of the rotational cycle of shaft 20. This predetermined portion is at some period of time other than when metering wheel 45 is pulling stamps through slot 27. Desirably cam means 62 should be gradual to minimize the rate of movement of the rack and pinion arrangement and the corresponding movement of cover member 35. As the tip 59 engages cam means 62 it is forced toward wall 13 bringing about rotation of pinion 42 and shaft 34. The cross member 38 thus brings about a corresponding rotational motion of cover 35.

Cover 35 is provided at the outer edge thereof with an arm member 53 which extends beyond the outer periphery of cover 35 and cylinder 25 and is fastened to cover 25 by fastening means 54 which may be threaded screws or rivots. At the outer end of arm 53 a post member 63 is mounted to extend perpendicular to arm 53 and transversely located with respect to the stream of stamps 26. It is desirable although not mandatory that member 63 be pivotally mounted to arm 53 so that it is free to rotate. This tends to lessen the tension that is applied to the stamp rolls as the cover member 35 rotates through the motion brought about by contact of cam 62 and tip 59. Ifa simple post member is used for member 63 it should be smooth so as to minimize frictional drag thereover by the stamps.

It should now be apparent that as shaft 20 is rotated through some portion of its cycle other than during the time in which metering wheel 45 is pulling stamps from slot 27 that engagement of cam 62 with tip 59 will bring about a rotational motion of cover 35 and corresponding rotational motion of the roller member in a direc-' tion generally transverse of the stream of stamps 26. Once the cam action has been completed the spring 61 -will return cover 35 and roll 63 back to a position corresponding to that shown in FIG. 1. Upon its return to this rest position a free standing loop 64 of stamps will remain. Subsequently as metering wheel 45 pulls upon the free end of stamp roll 26 it will absorb the stamps contained in the free standing roll 64 rather than pulling directly upon the stamps of the still rolled portion within cylinder 25. The presence of this free standing loop 64, which is generated during the portion of the cycle of the apparatus when no stamps are being withdrawn for application to an envelope, overcomes the disadvantages of prior art apparatus of the type described above.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a modification of cover member 35 wherein a shoulder portion 83 extends inwardly into the center portion of the cylinder 25. While not required the presence of this shoulder portion bearing against the stamp roll when cylinder 25 is in inverted position aids in lessening any tendency of the stamp roll to rewind stamps from the free standing loop when cover 35 is returned from the position shown in FIG, 2 to that of FIG. 1.

What is claimed is:

1. In a stamp applicator machine including a stamp dispensing wheel and drive shaft assembly synchro. nously driven to cooperate with an envelope advancing means said'wheel being joined to said drive shaft for rotation therewith about a common axis, the wheel having stamp metering means mounted thereon outwardly of said drive shaft for delivering stamps to the outer periphery of said wheel during a first portion of the rotation of said wheel and a holding means for a roll of stamps is mounted .to said assembly for rotation therewith, the free end of said roll of stamps extending into said metering means from said holding means, the improvement comprising means for forming a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said spool of stamps and said metering means, said loop forming means operatively joined to said assembly for rotation therewith and being activated by the motion thereof to form a free standing loop of stamps during a portion of the rotation of said wheel other than during said first portion of rotation when said metering means is delivering a stamp to the outer portion of said wheel.

2. The machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for forming a free standing loop of stamps is a rod assembly positioned intermediate said spool of stamps and said metering means, said rod assembly including means activated by rotation of said assembly for periodically moving the rod transversely to the path of stamps during a second portion of the rotation of said assembly thereby forming a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said spool and said metering means.

3. The machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding means for said roll of stamps is mounted to said drive shaft and oriented for the unwinding rotation of said roll about an axis transverse to said shaft.

4. The machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said shaft has a hollow portion extending between said holding means and said metering means and the free end of said roll of stamps extends through said hollow portion.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said loop forming means is a rod assembly operatively joined to said shaft for rotation therewith, said rod assembly including means activated by rotation of said shaft for periodically moving the rod transversely to the path of stamps during a second portion of the rotation of said assembly to thereby form a free standing loop of stamps.

6. A stamp applicator machine comprising a stamp applying wheel and drive shaft assembly adapted to be synchronously driven to cooperate with the envelope conveying means, said wheel being joined to said shaft for rotation therewith about a common axis, stamp metering means mounted on said wheel outwardly of said drive shaft, said metering means including indexing means operatively connected to said metering means for selectively dispensing stamps from said metering means beyond the periphery of said wheel during a first portion of a rotation of said wheel, a holding means for a roll of stamps mounted to said drive shaft and oriented for unwinding rotation of said roll about an axis transverse to said shaft, said shaft defining a hollow portion extending between said roll of stamps and said wheel, said hollow portion defining a pathway for movement of stamps from said roll to said metering means, shear means adjacent said metering means adapted to sever stamps as they are dispensed, means for forming a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said roll of stamps and said metering means, said loop forming means joined to said shaft for rotation therewith and activated by the motion thereof to form a free standing loop of stamps during a second portion of the rotation of said wheel.

7. A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said loop forming means includes a pivotal arm joined at one end thereof to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, and having a rod member extending transverse to the path of stamps at the opposite end, resilient means biasing said arm to a position along the axis of said drive shaft and cam driven means for moving said arm through a limited arc during a second portion of the rotation of said drive shaft.

8. A machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pivotal arm is operatively joined at said one end thereof to a pinion gear mounted for rotation to said drive shaft, rack gear means in operative engagement with said pinion gear, cam means positioned adjacent to said drive shaft and arranged to intermittantly engage an end of said rack gear to produce a limited motion thereof thereby producing a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said roll of stamps and said metering means.

9. A machine in accordance with claim 8 wherein said rod member is mounted to said arm for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of said rod.

10. A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein the holding means for said stamps includes an openended cylinder and a central post member transversely mounted to said drive shaft and the means for forming a free standing loop includes a second shaft journaled through said drive shaft and said central post, a cover member for said holding means, said cover means joined to an end of said second shaft for rotation therewith, a roller member joined to the periphery of said cover member adjacent the pathway for said stamps; a pinion gear joined to the opposite end of said shaft, rack gear means in operative engagement with said pinion gear; resilient means biasing said roller to a position adjacent said drive shaft, cam means positioned adjacent to said drive shaft and arranged to intermittantly engage an end of said rack gear to produce a limited motion thereof during a second portion of the rotation of said wheel thereby producing a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said roll of stamps and said metering means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3,810,407 Dated M53114 1914 Inventot(g) Robert NQKlund and Merle H. Sorenson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as-shown below:

On the title page, under Assignee, delete "Delkar" and insert the following Delkor Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-105D (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 w u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 0-366-33l. 

1. In a stamp applicator machine including a stamp dispensing wheel and drive shaft assembly synchronously driven to cooperate with an envelope advancing means said wheel being joined to said drive shaft for rotation therewith about a common axis, the wheel having stamp metering means mounted thereon outwardly of said drive shaft for delivering stamps to the outer periphery of said wheel during a first portion of the rotation of said wheel and a holding means for a roll of stamps is mounted to said assembly for rotation therewith, the free end of said roll of stamps extending into said metering means from said holding means, the improvement comprising means for forming a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said spool of stamps and said metering means, said loop forming means operatively joined to said assembly for rotation therewith and being activated by the motion thereof to form a free standing loop of stamps during a portion of the rotation of said wheel other than during said first portion of rotation when said metering means is delivering a stamp to the outer portion of said wheel.
 2. The machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for forming a free standing loop of stamps is a rod assembly positioned intermediate said spool of stamps and said metering means, said rod assembly including means activated by rotation of said assembly for periodically moving the rod transversely to the path of stamps during a second portion of the rotation of said assembly thereby forming a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said spool and said metering means.
 3. The machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding means for said roll of stamps is mounted to said drive shaft and oriented for the unwinding rotation of said roll about an axis transverse to said shaft.
 4. The machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said shaft has a hollow portion extending between said holding means and said metering means and the free end of said roll of stamps extends through said hollow portion.
 5. A machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said loop forming means is a rod assembly operatively joined to said shaft for rotation therewith, said rod assembly including means activated by rotation of said shaft for periodically moving the rod transversely to the path of stamps during a second portion of the rotation of said assembly to thereby form a free standing loop of stamps.
 6. A stamp applicator machine comprising a stamp applying wheel and drive shaft assembly adapted to be synchronously driven to cooperate with the envelope conveying means, said wheel being joined to said shaft for rotation therewith about a common axis, stamp metering means mounted on said wheel outwardly of said drive shaft, said metering means including indexing means operatively connected to said metering means for selectively dispensing stamps from said metering means beyond the periphery of said wheel during a first portion of a rotation of said wheel, a holding means for a roll of stamps mounted to said drive shaft and oriented for unwinding rotation of said roll about an axis transverse to said shaft, said shaft defining a hollow portion extending between said roll of stamps and said wheel, said hollow portion defining a pathway for movement of stamps from said roll to said metering means, shear means adjacent said metering means adapted to sever stamps as they are dispensed, means fOr forming a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said roll of stamps and said metering means, said loop forming means joined to said shaft for rotation therewith and activated by the motion thereof to form a free standing loop of stamps during a second portion of the rotation of said wheel.
 7. A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said loop forming means includes a pivotal arm joined at one end thereof to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, and having a rod member extending transverse to the path of stamps at the opposite end, resilient means biasing said arm to a position along the axis of said drive shaft and cam driven means for moving said arm through a limited arc during a second portion of the rotation of said drive shaft.
 8. A machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pivotal arm is operatively joined at said one end thereof to a pinion gear mounted for rotation to said drive shaft, rack gear means in operative engagement with said pinion gear, cam means positioned adjacent to said drive shaft and arranged to intermittantly engage an end of said rack gear to produce a limited motion thereof thereby producing a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said roll of stamps and said metering means.
 9. A machine in accordance with claim 8 wherein said rod member is mounted to said arm for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of said rod.
 10. A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein the holding means for said stamps includes an open-ended cylinder and a central post member transversely mounted to said drive shaft and the means for forming a free standing loop includes a second shaft journaled through said drive shaft and said central post, a cover member for said holding means, said cover means joined to an end of said second shaft for rotation therewith, a roller member joined to the periphery of said cover member adjacent the pathway for said stamps; a pinion gear joined to the opposite end of said shaft, rack gear means in operative engagement with said pinion gear; resilient means biasing said roller to a position adjacent said drive shaft, cam means positioned adjacent to said drive shaft and arranged to intermittantly engage an end of said rack gear to produce a limited motion thereof during a second portion of the rotation of said wheel thereby producing a free standing loop of stamps intermediate said roll of stamps and said metering means. 